Oh, Maple! [Video/Open to Action]

[maple_happiness]

[Canada gets off the train and frowns down at the pocketwatch. He picks up Kumajiro, who is trotting at his ankles, not wanting him to get lost in this strange place.]

I don't know what's going on, Kumari, but I really don't think I like it. This place is completely deserted...

[The bear looks up at him.]

Who?

I'm Canada! Your owner!

[Canada sighs, not

Comments

[officerofspade]

... Matthew?

[Well that's a surprise.]

You've come back then...

... and you don't seem to remember a thing... [Which might be for the best.]

[maple_happiness]

[This communicator is very confusing, with the way it seems to keep switching between people.]

Arthur?

[He didn't mistake me for Alfred for once?]

I've been talking to a woman named Aqua - I think she and I were friends before - and she said I was here before too. Is it normal for people to come back not remembering their time here?

[officerofspade]

[Oh, give him some credit - he watched the message a few times to confirm.]

It's happened from time to time. You were here before I was, then you left - yet here you are again. I might as well return the favor from last time...

Come on down to my house, I suppose. I can make some tea and scones if you'd like?

[maple_happiness]

[Uh-oh. Two invitations, but Canada already promised... He'll have to make his excuses with Francis and Aqua - and Barclay if he's home - quickly, because he doesn't want to be rude to Arthur either. And he'd like to see him too.]

That's so strange...

Um, actually, I was talking to Aqua earlier - she seems very nice - and I promised I'd stop at her house, but I'm sure she won't mind if I only stay for a bit and then come to see you. I'm not really hungry, so you don't have to bother with scones, but tea would be nice.

[Francis and Barclay might, but Arthur's his family too, whatever they might think. Juggling his conflicted family ties is hardly a new trick to him, after all.]

[officerofspade]

... [He'll half-restrain a surprised sort of laugh.] Interesting how it works out, that. Alright. Again, I suppose that's fair. [He rather stood Matthew up the last time in favor of tea, didn't he? Then his little dates, and of course the yelling match, the seclusion...]

I'll be sure to have it ready. We can test out the shop.

[maple_happiness]

[Canada almost asks about that half-laugh but decides against it; from what France said it seems like there's a lot to know about his last time here, so he'll wait until he sees his family in person before he asks.]

You have a shop here?

[It seems like an odd idea, but... Not as much as he'd originally thought.]

I'll be over in a little while, then.

[officerofspade]

Francis and I have a shop. I'm in charge of the tea, I'll pick something out... I'll be waiting to see you then.

[maple_happiness]

You and Francis? You guys get along now? Are you both feeling all right?

[Canada was only mostly joking.]

I'll see you later!

[officerofspade]

I'll be pleased to see you then.